March 11-13, 2005

Contemporary American Poetry: Margins and Centers

The University of Dayton English Department is sponsoring its 5th annual LitFest, which this year will focus on Public Readings, Workshops, and Conference Sessions devoted to the broad issue of Contemporary American Poetry: Margins and Centers. Our Plenary Speaker will be the Poet Ai, Professor of Creative Writing at Oklahoma State University, and winner of the National Book Award. Appropriate paper topics include, but are not limited to: Minority and Ethnic Poetry in North America; Native American/Indigenous Poetry; Chicano/Latino/Hispanic Poetry; African American Poetry; Post-Modern American Poetics; Women’s Poetry in North America; Gay/Lesbian/Transgender Poetics; The Internet and Poetry; electronic publication; Canon Formation; Teaching Poetry and Creative Writing; Creative Writing Pedagogies. As well, we will accept Creative Submissions (Poetry) for inclusion in Conference Sessions.

All of these as well as other topics of relevance are welcome. Proposals should include:

1. Precise title of the presentation or paper or creative work
2. Abstract
3. For Academic Papers: list of source materials or Works Cited Page
4. A brief curriculum vitae
5. An email address for entries sent by the Postal Service

Inquiries by those interested in being panel chairs and commentators are also welcome.

Deadline for Submissions: January 15, 2005